The Quick Fix to Hard Water Residue in Your Shower

Mar 08, 2019

Is your shower spouting less water than usual? It may be due to blockage in your shower head and connected faucet. Considering our geographic location, Austin homes and businesses experience a greater occurrence of hard water in their plumbing systems.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is when the water in your plumbing contains harsh “minerals” such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals prevent your soap from lathering as well as form deposits which subsequently clog pipe lines . The deposits formed can ruin the paint on your walls, cause corrosion, and decrease the quality of your water overall.

[Read our blog on hard water to find out how to identify calcium build-up in your home.]

How Should I Fix It?

Should you experience decreased water pressure from your shower, check the head for build-up of calcium deposits. This occurrence may be due to build-up of calcium and other harsh material. These six steps are an easy fix to reviving your water source:

Step 1: Fill a bowl or tupperware container with white vinegar

Step 2: Unscrew the shower head and submerge it in the vinegar for 1 or 2 hours. (May require additional tools to remove the fixture if it is not a simple “screw-on/off” model)

Step 3: Rinse your filter or screen to the shower head with hot water (if applicable).

Step 4: When your shower head is done soaking in vinegar, rinse it in hot water.

Step 5: As you’re rinsing the shower head, take an old toothbrush and scrub through the grates that the water flows through.

Step 6: Completely rinse the shower head and re-assemble.

BONUS: How Does Vinegar Work?

According to, The Spruce, “The acetic acid in white vinegar acts as a solvent, which helps to dissolve the mineral deposits that are clogging up your shower head.” Although vinegar is safe to use, you may want to take precautions when using it as a cleaner. Be sure to avoid contact with your eyes.

Should you find that the problem still persists, it may be time to give a professional a call to inspect your fixture. Give Radiant a call at (512) 263-9988 to get one of our knowledgeable plumbing technicians to your home!